A 26-year-old criminology graduate from Samar, who had just arrived in Manila in search of a job, was killed after being stabbed and attacked by a group of people who wrongly accused him of theft, GMA News “24 Oras” reported.
The victim, identified as Christian Ambon, was reportedly robbed of his cellphone but was instead mistaken as the thief. The incident occurred in Barangay 718, Manila, and was caught on video, showing Ambon lying on the ground with a stab wound to his side. He was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.
According to his mother, Bonifacia Ambon, her son chased the real culprit, a certain “Junjun,” to retrieve his stolen cellphone. However, someone shouted “thief,” causing people to turn on him instead.
“He would never do that. Even though we are poor, my son would never steal,” said the grieving mother. She also claimed that she overheard the barangay captain instructing people to throw her son’s body into the river—an allegation that the official, Mark Delfin, denied.
Delfin insisted that no one named “Junjun” lived in their area and alleged that Christian was the first to draw a knife.
Despite being the victim, Christian was also charged with trespassing and frustrated murder. Meanwhile, his family plans to file cases against those responsible for his death.
The Manila Police District has launched an investigation into the incident, while Christian’s family is struggling to raise funds to bring his remains back to Samar.
